Communication Support That Starts With the Person
Communication is more than spoken words. It can include speech, language, facial expression, gesture, sign, visual supports, communication devices, and other forms of Augmentative and Alternative Communication.
Fresh Start Wellness Speech Pathology considers the participant's strengths, preferences, environments, communication partners, and everyday goals. Assessment and intervention are designed to support functional communication that can be used across home, learning, work, and community settings.
We work with participants and, where authorised, the people around them so communication strategies are understood and supported consistently.
What Support May Include
- Speech assessment and intervention
- Receptive and expressive language support
- Social communication support
- Functional communication assessment
- Communication-partner training
- Visual communication systems
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication assessment
- AAC trials, recommendations, and implementation support
- Communication strategies connected to Behaviour Support
- Mealtime or swallowing support only where within practitioner scope and clinically appropriate
- Progress review and reports
Our Process
How This Service Works
Understand How the Participant Communicates
Identify strengths, barriers, preferences, communication environments, and important communication partners.
Choose Meaningful Communication Goals
Focus on needs that matter in daily life, such as making choices, expressing discomfort, joining conversations, or using AAC.
Practise Across Real Settings
Develop and review strategies with the participant and authorised communication partners.
Documentation We May Prepare
Reports and Documentation
- Communication assessment reports
- Speech and language assessment reports
- AAC assessment and recommendation reports
- Communication plans and resources
- Progress reports
- NDIS review reports where appropriate
- Communication-partner guidance
Speech Pathology May Be Suitable When
- A participant has difficulty expressing needs or choices
- Understanding spoken or written language is challenging
- Speech clarity affects communication
- Social communication creates barriers to relationships or participation
- AAC may provide more reliable communication
- Communication difficulties contribute to frustration or behaviours of concern
- Families, carers, or teams need shared communication strategies
Communication Goals That Matter Outside the Therapy Room
The purpose of communication support is meaningful participation. We focus on communication that helps the participant be understood, make choices, build relationships, and engage in the activities that matter to them.
Discuss Speech Pathology Support
Call us to explain the participant's communication needs and the support being requested.